The death of Clifford Micallef as a result of a horrific accident has caused outrage among all cyclists in Malta. Because cyclists are treated so shabbily on our roads there is a strong bond of loyalty and camaraderie between cyclists. This was eloquently expressed by the beautiful and moving farewell to Clifford from so many cyclists who accompanied his coffin to the cemetery.
It is a paradox that cycling is now a mainstream mode of transport in wealthy, technologically advanced, affluent countries such as Holland, Denmark and Germany. Sadly, this is not the case in Malta where "progress" has not included our travel habits. The public space we call "roads" has continued to be designed solely for motor vehicles to the exclusion of the needs of others such as children, pedestrians and cyclists. Successive administrations have pandered excessively to car owners while neglecting all other legitimate road users as cyclists, who are relegated to second-class road users. A narcissistic car cult is now deeply embedded in the Maltese psyche. The car has become the ultimate status symbol. Obtaining a car and driving it recklessly, which seems to be done with impunity, has become a rite of passage for many of our youngsters.
A radical change in our attitudes is needed. Road transport is a key determinant of health. Apart from excess mortality and shortened life spans due to traffic pollution, overdependence on motor transport has resulted in an increase in obesity which is itself the precursor of many diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes - all of which shorten life in their own right. Cycling or walking for half an hour a day can bring major health benefits; for instance, it halves the risk of developing heart disease. Besides the health benefits of physical exercise, less dependence on the car has the added bonus of resulting in less air pollution as car use diminishes - and roads also become safer and quieter.
The entire approach adopted by ADT in respect of promoting cycling has been insignificant, misguided and inept. Part III of The Today Public Policy Think Tank report Towards A Low Carbon Society: The Nation's Health, Energy Security And Fossil Fuels, deals with the question of promoting bicycle use in great detail. A crucial point raised in the report is this: because it is impossible to create a comprehensive network of cycle paths, tracks or lanes, it is inevitable that cyclists have to share the road with motor vehicles. Also, the value of cycle lanes is dubious and, if these are badly designed, they are highly dangerous. If cycling is to be encouraged the overriding aim should therefore be to induce a change in motorists' behaviour toward cyclists. The Think Tank report covers this approach in great detail and this should be compulsory reading by the ADT. This terrible accident is a setback for the promotion of cycling in Malta because it has strengthened the perception of cycling as a dangerous pursuit; making cycling safer therefore now becomes all the more urgent in order to reassure would-be cyclists.
Clifford Micallef deserves to be commemorated for all he has done for charitable causes - and which ultimately cost him his life. One possibility would be an annual commemorative "bicycle for all" Sunday (possibly incorporated into the annual car-free day). On this day all motor-driven vehicles must give absolute priority to bicycles and pedestrians so that families and children can safely ride bikes on our roads and discover the joys of cycling with no worries about safety. This would be a beautiful gesture and it would work wonders in changing attitudes and help making cycling safer.